Contrary to Popular Belief, Vitali Klitschko Looked Good vs Kevin Johnson

Ok, I just watched the full fight via YouTube and here's what I saw:

* Kevin Johnson didn't want to fight, and was in a defensive shell most of the fight

* Not sure how one judge gave even a single round to Kevin Johnson

* Kevin Johnson looked better, physically, in the fight than he looked at the weigh-in (looked fat at the weigh-in)

* Kevin Johnson's defensive movements with his torso and head threw Vitali off slightly. The toughest thing, I think, for VK was that with KJ's leaning at the waist so much VK was put in a position where if he threw a punch it would hit KJ on the back of the head. So, VK threw fewer punches and power punches than he might otherwise

* KJ seems to have a decent chin (was never really hurt) and this probably has something to do with him having virtually no neck. He took some shots that would have hurt other HW's

* KJ has a good, and long, jab when he chooses to use it

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Now, people are saying VK looked old, slow, etc. He may have looked slightly slower, but I saw pretty much the same guy who fought Arreola but Vitali wasn't fighting Arreola tonight and so it changed his game plan tremendously. Some notes on VK in this fight:

* He wanted to counterpunch (as is his tendency) but couldn't. He had to lead for all 12 rounds. That's not usually his best style. He was a counter puncher against Arreola and had to move around more because he was more concerned with Arreola's attacks than he was against Johnson. Vitali adapts to the guy in front of him. Tonight, he adapted to a boxing version of The Blob.

* VK was not motivated to destroy KJ as he was, say, against Sanders or Lewis. He was pacing himself instead

* VK likely thought the T/KO would come in time, as it usually does, so he didn't go all-out until late, and he didn't even do it much then

* VK's accuracy is not as good when he's on the attack as when he counters, it seems. He's more focused when he's being pressed by an opponent

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Taking all of the above into consideration, as well as VK's being 38 years old, I actually thought he looked quite good. Two main reasons I felt this way are:

* He didn't clinch almost the entire fight. Clinching is a tell-tale sign a fighter is tired and wants a break.

* VK used shoulder feints and punch fakes throughout the bout. He was aware of what he was trying to do and disciplined the entire fight, even though Johnson didn't want to fight

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In addition to the two previous points, Vitali also goofed around with Johnson in the final round and never really appeared too tired.

What happened was that VK fought a guy who wanted to play defense and who had a solid chin. So VK just did his thing and coasted to an easy win.

Kevin Johnson is a completely different fighter than Chris Arreola, so Vitali fought a different fight than he did against CA. Vitali did what he had to do to win, and he won easily.

For those who say that, based upon this performance, guys like Chambers or Haye would have a good chance to beat VK, consider this:

Vitali Klitschko --- 6'7" *** 245 lbs *** 80" reach
Kevin Johnson --- 6'3" *** 242 lbs *** 82" reach
David Haye ------ 6'3" *** 217 lbs *** 78" reach
Alex Povetkin ---- 6'2" *** 225 lbs *** ??" reach
Eddie Chambers -- 6'1" *** 215 lbs *** 75" reach

That is, Johnson actually had a longer reach than Vitali and this helped him when he decided he would throw a jab. Compare that advantage to the stats of Haye or Chambers (couldn't find Povetkin's reach).

Additionally, Johnson is considerably larger than either Haye or Chambers. That definitely matters. And Johnson does appear to have a solid chin, something which is not the case with Haye.

I will say this after thinking about it more: Povetkin has no chance against Vitali. His style is made to order for VK, much as Sam Peter's was. He would get counter-punched and battered into submission fairly quickly, IMO.

Chambers just seems too small. I know he beat Dmitrienko, and I like Chambers, but 6'1" and 75" reach just isn't enough to fight someone like Vitali.

So, there's Haye. Good luck there.

The saddest thing of them all tonight is that it seemed as though Kevin Johnson had the physical tools to compete with Vitali but he chose not to. If he actually had come to fight, he may have been able to give Vitali a good, tough match.

Vitali looked good tonight. He just fought someone who didn't want to engage and who seemed to possess a stout beard. Yes, VK wasn't as fast or sharp as he could have been, but he didn't have to be and Johnson did nothing to bring out the best in VK, either.

 

If you think that, you probably don't understand much about boxing.

 

Here's the point: People are judging VK based upon the Arreola fight and this was a totally different fight against a completely different fighter. So VK didn't and wasn't able to do what he did against Arreola. And he didn't have to do it, either.

Arreola attacked, Johnson turtle shelled. Vitali looked different because of who he fought and how the opponents fought.

The reason I said Mickey might not know boxing is that it's a two-person sport. You can't judge VK unless you consider he wasn't fighting CA.

 

Haye's speed is a factor and will surprise VK, I'm sure. BUT...VK has fought Sanders who has incredibly fast hands and more power than does Haye. VK also fought Hide who had plenty of speed and power as well.

VK isn't what he used to be but he's still likely plenty good enough to beat Haye.

 

This is the point, as well as Johnson having 82" reach when he chose to jab, and that Johnson seems to have a solid chin. VK hit him some, but he took it.

 

I totally disagree with this.

 

I agree with this.

I'm sure Vitali wants to fight Haye before he hangs them up. It will probably happen.

Thanks for your take on a potential VK-DH fight! :good